Mipso "Farther Along"

Today I became a resident of Tennessee, once again. Got my papers in order and a spiffy new driver's license. I am happy to have returned to an amazing scenario, having Music City Roots partner with MTSU's WMOT, and being named Program Director and Afternoon Drive Announcer for the new ROOTS RADIO, 89.5 WMOT.

It was two weeks ago that we launched, and there is still lots to do; growing the library, getting all our specialty programming on the air, and the like. This past Wednesday, Music City Roots returned to the airwaves, live from The Factory in Franklin.

Today's video comes from Mipso, who have a band member who was an intern for Music City Roots. Small world, huh? She is Libby Rodenbough who plays along with Wood Robinson, Jacob Sharp, and Joseph Terrell for this Music Fog recording. We filmed Mipso last year in NYC. They are hitting the road hard as always, and will be appearing at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion this weekend. Savor this spiritual gem from the Music Fog library, here's "Farther Along."

- Jessie Scott

Dale Watson "Bug Ya For Love"

So much music, so little time! I am super excited to tell you that the Music Fog crew has just gotten back from Nashville, where we filmed some 15 artists at 3rd & Lindsley Backstage. Our utmost thanks to Ron Brice, Kathy Mac, Santo, and the rest of the staff for welcoming us into their home, and letting us get a little loud in the middle of the day. We will start to roll those videos out for you in the next few weeks, but in the meantime, it was a particularly busy and musical January, what with MusicFest at Steamboat and then the cruises; Sandy Beaches, Cayamo, and more. I am delighted to be in Miami to attend the Shore Leave Showdown tonight and tomorrow, to benefit The Supersuckers’ Eddie Spaghetti, for his cancer fund. It is the unofficial launch party for the Sirius/XM Outlaw Country Cruise which sets sail on Sunday. So many musicians we know and love will be rocking the boat!

Photo Credit: Sarah WilsonOne of the artists participating in the pre-party and cruise is Dale Watson. Once he returns from that, the Ameripolitan Music Awards will be happening on February 16 at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas. Dale has become a one-man cheerleading squad for all the righteous Country forms, and the Ameripolitan Awards salutes the folks keeping the flame lit for Western Swing, Rockabilly, Outlaw Country, and Honky Tonk. Music Fog had the great good fortune to film Dale and the Lone Stars last year, in New York City. They make it look so easy! “Bug Ya For Love” can be found on Dale’s most recent album Call Me Insane. Here is the Music Fog version, enjoy, and see you somewhere soon; on the road, on the high seas, in Nashville, in Austin, wherever fine music is being made!

- Jessie Scott

Mipso "Marianne"

AmericanaFest is just around the corner now, from Tuesday, September 15th to Sunday, September 20th in Nashville, TN. It brings folks together to be immersed in the music, whether they are in ‘the biz,’ or they are passionate music lovers attending all the evening showcases. I am a proud Americana Music Association board member, so watching how this event has grown every year is near and dear to my heart. It is going to be a super busy week, including the crown jewel, the 14th Americana Honors & Awards, taking place at the Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday, September 16th. Folk Alley and NPR are once again teaming up to bring the show to you online, wherever you are. I am very excited that Ann Powers and I will be returning to the broadcast booth at the Ryman. Every year it is especially touching to be in the house to witness the Lifetime Achievement Awards. This year, honors will be bestowed to Don Henley, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Ricky Skaggs, and Los Lobos. It promises to be a spectacular night.

Beyond that, the AmericanaFest lineup for the week includes more than 170 official showcases across more than a dozen Music City venues. Every year, during the crazy club crawl evenings, new artists get discovered and embraced. It is in a way ‘one stop shopping’ for the smorgasbord of flavors of Americana. Last year, Mipso was there to showcase, and today their new album is just about upon us. The North Carolina maverick string band draws from their local legacy, and advances it through to today on their forthcoming album Old Time Reverie. Music Fog filmed Mipso this past January in NYC, and we are happy to bring you “Marianne” from that session. The song is already up on iTunes, with the rest of the album set for an October 2nd release. Here are Jacob Sharp, Wood Robinson, Joseph Terrell, and Libby Rodenbough, aka Mipso, with the Music Fog recording of “Marianne.”

- Jessie Scott